Transfer Applicants

Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/transfer/testing.html Parent: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/index.html

Standardized Testing

Standardized testing is one of the application requirements that can highlight academic preparedness.

At Stanford, we review applications holistically, meaning every component of the application is valuable to us as we get to know each student. There are no minimum test scores required to be admitted to Stanford, and there is no score that guarantees admission.

Testing Requirements

ACT or SAT scores are required for transfer and first-year students.

There are several free resources online to support you in your test preparation: ACT, Bluebook, College Board, Khan Academy and Schoolhouse.world.

Reporting ACT or SAT Test Scores

• Please self-report your highest ACT and/or SAT scores in the testing section of the application. You do not need to have official scores sent to Stanford for us to review your application. We will review applications using either self-reported or official scores. If you would like to have official scores sent, please use the following codes:

• SAT PROFILE/TOEFL Code number: 4704

• ACT Code number: 0434

• If you are offered admission and choose to enroll, official scores for ACT and/or SAT scores that you self-reported will be required. In order for test scores to be considered official, they must be sent directly from the College Board or the ACT.

Stanford reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if an applicant's self-reported test scores do not align with those in the official score report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Show All Hide All

What are the deadlines for testing?

Latest Possible ACT Test Sitting: by the end of January

Latest Possible SAT Test Sitting: by the end of December

We recommend students take the ACT or SAT well in advance of application deadlines. It is unlikely that scores from tests taken after the deadlines will arrive in time for review. We cannot delay the review of an application in anticipation of scores that will arrive after the deadline nor can we guarantee that late scores will be reviewed.

What should I do if my test results arrive after I submit my application?

Your most recent test results ACT or SAT arrive after you submit your application, you can self-report these scores by logging in to your Stanford portal and filling out the Self-Report Test Scores form.

How recent do my ACT or SAT results need to be?

We recommend sending ACT or SAT scores from within the past five years.

Does Stanford superscore test results?

We want you to have the best test representation possible, so we will review your results according to the following rubric:

• For the ACT, you may report the calculated ACT superscore in addition to your highest section scores.

• Starting in Spring 2025, the ACT will phase in a redesigned exam with an optional science section. For Stanford, this section will also become optional. Beginning in the 2025-2026 application cycle, we will accept scores from both the original and redesigned versions of the ACT.

• We understand that students may not have a choice about which ACT exam is available to them during the transition period, or students may have scores from a previously taken original exam. We will accept both exams equally and have no preference for one over the other.

• For the SAT, we will superscore, focusing on the highest individual Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores from all test sittings.

• You may have taken a sitting with the essay and a separate sitting without the essay. We will superscore your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores across these two versions of the exam.

Are AP exams required?

AP exams are not mandatory; however, if you have taken any AP exams, you are required to self-report all your scores in your application.

Do I need to submit AP, IB and A-Level exam results?

Students with AP exam scores are required to self-report all their scores in their application.

Students who were enrolled in an IB Diploma program are required to have a school official or testing agency send us their final IB marks (including TOK/essay bonus points).

Students who were enrolled in the British education system are required to have a school official or testing agency send us their GCSE results and A-Level marks for consideration.

Updated on December 4, 2025 7:26 AM